Chuck



H. E. SLOAN CHUCK 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 28. 1949 Och 1953 H. E. SLOAN 2,657,068

7 CHUCK Filed June 28, 1949 Sheets-Sheet 4 Muenzar Oct. 27, 1953 Patented Oct. 27, 1953 CHUCK Harry E. Sloan,

Hartford, Conn., assignor to The Cushman Chuck Company,

Hartford, Conn a corporationof Connecticut Application June 28, 1949, Serial No. 101,806

7 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in chucks having movable jaws for holding workpieces to be machined or for holding tools for performing operations upon such work-pieces.

One of the main objects of the present invention is to provide a superior chuck of the character referred to and having relatively-large jaw-movements in order to allow for the reception of work-pieces having bosses, bulges or other projections.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a superior chuck having movable jaws and combining large jaw-movement with a very powerful gripping action when the gripping-jaws are .in their closed or gripping positions.

Another object of the present invention is .to provide asuperior chuck of the character referred to and having the operating-means for its gripping-jaws so constructed and arranged as not only to firmly rip a work-piece or the like but .to effectively resist the jaw-opening tendencies of centrifugal forces when the chuck is being rotated at high speeds.

With the above and other objects in view, as will appear to those skilled in the .art from the present disclosure, this invention includes all features in the said disclosure which are novel over the prior art.

In the accompanying drawings, in which certain modes of carrying out the present invention are shown for illustrative purposes:

Fig. 1 is a face view of one form of chuck embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a view thereof in side elevation;

Fig. 3 is a top or plan view thereof;

Fig. 4 is a view mainly in central-longitudinal section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1 but on a larger scale and with some of the parts left in elevation and with the gripping-jaws shown in their closed position;

Fig. 5 is a detailed sectional view taken on the line '"5-5 of Fig- Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 5-6 of Fig. 4-;

Fig. 7 is a central-longitudinal sectional view similar to Fig. i but showing the grippingq'aws in their retired position;

Fig. '8 is a perspective view of a group of elements comprising the operating-head, a togglelink and a jaw-operating plunger;

Fig. 9 is -a perspective view of one of the jawoperating plungers, detached;

Fig. 10 is a similar view of one of the jaw operating levers, detached;

jEig. 11 is a sectional perspective view of the body;

THE STRUCTURE .OF FIGS. 1 TO 11 INCLUSIVE The particular chuck chosen for illustrationin Figs. 1 to 11 of .the accompanying drawings for purposes of makingclear a preferred form of the present invention, includes a body generally ,designated by the reference rcharacter It and comprising, in the main, a rear disk-like portion II from which forwardly projects two integral arms l2-l2 arranged diametrically opposite each other and having their outer peripheries flush with the outer periphery of the .said disk-like portion II.

In its forward face, each of the arms |2l2 of the body .I 9 is formed with a substantially-radial guideway l3 opening forwardly through the arm in which it is formed and intersecting .both the outer periphery and the inner surface thereof. as is especially well shown inFig. 11.

Mounted in each of the guideways |,3-l3 is one of two similar gripping-jaw units each generally designated by the reference character It. Each of the said units comprises a jaw-carrier I5 and, in the present instance, two independentlyadjustablegripping-jaws lfiand H. The particular nature of the gripping-jaws 1,6 and il and the iaw-carrler I5 is not essential to the present invention and with respect thereto it is believed sufficient to state that was organized in the jawcarrier [5, the gripping jaws l5 and I1 may be respectively independently adjusted in a direction substantially radially of the body It by means of oppositely-acting adjustingsscrews l8-l 9 and 29-2l indicated in;Fi gs..3 and ,4. The said adjusting-screws i8- l9 and ,2.,fl-2.I extend inwardly through a cap-plate 22 rigidly secured to the outer end of the adjacent jaw-carrier [5.

Each jaw-carrier I5 is formed on each of its respective opposite sides with one of .two longitudinal guide-ribs 23-43 (Fig.5) *respectivelyengaged by retaining-plates 24-44 firmly secured to the forward face of the adjacent arm 12 of the body it on each of the respective Opposite sides of the jaw-carrier 5.

As before noted, the particular character of the gripping-jaw units l4 forms no essential iea' ture of the present invention, since under some circumstances each thereof may be of one-piece structure, but which in the present instance are shown as having two independently-movable gripping-jaws to adapt it for a special task and to enable the gripping-jaws to be replaced when desired.

Each jaw-carrier i5 is formed in its rear face about midway of its length with a transverse rearwardly-opening coupling-notch 25 receiving the cylindrically-contoured forward terminal of one of two similar jaw-operating levers 25-426. Each jaw-operating lever 23 is accommodated in one of two similar clearance-passages 2l'--2'i re= spectively formed at diametrically-opposite points in the body it. At its forward end, each clearance-passage 2i intersects the adjacent guideway 13 and at its rear end intersects the adjacent one of two similar guide-bores 28-428. The guide-bores Zs-ZB are respectively located diametrically opposite each other and extend in a radial direction in the disk-like portion H of the body respectively to the rear of the grippingjaw units 14, as is especially well shown in Figs. i, 5 and '7.

Preferably, the guide-bores 28 above referred to are of cylindrical form in cross section and at their outer ends intersect the outer periphery of the body It and at their inner ends intersect a recess 29 formed in and opening rearwardly through the rear portion of the body EB. Preferably and as shown, the recess 2.9 has the major portion of its length cylindrically contoured and is arranged coaxially with respect to the body it in which it is formed.

Respectively mounted for reciprocation in the guide-bores 23-28 and in a direction radially with respect to the body ill, are two jaw-operating plungers 3i33. Each jaw-operatin plunger 3%! is formed with a forwardly-opening trans verse coupling-notch 3! receiving the cylindrically-contoured rear terminal of the adjacent jaw-operating lever 23, as is especially well shown in Figs. 4 and 7. Each of the said jaw-operating levers 23, as before noted, is located in one of the clearance-passages 21-2! in the body it and is mounted intermediate its front and rear ends for pivotal movement therein upon one of two similar transverse pivot-pins 32-32.

In addition to its coupling-notch 3|, each jaw-operating plunger 33 is formed in its inner end with an inwardly-opening diametrical notch 33 receiving the outer end of the adjacent one of two similar toggle-links t l-4rd. The outer end of each toggle-link 34 just referred to is pivotally connected to its complemental plunger 30 by means of a pivot-pin 35 extending diametrically through the notched inner end of the said plunger and through the toggle-link 34.

The respective inner ends of the toggle-links er -es are entered into one of two notches 3d-36 respectively formed at diametrically-opposite locations in the outer periphery of an operatinghead 3? mounted for reciprocation axially within the recess 29 in the body ii]. The said operatinghead has a cylindrical periphery and has a smooth sliding fit in'the cylindrical portion of the recess 29 above referred to, while the notches 38 therein extend from front to rear through the said operating-head in a direction parallel with the central-longitudinal axis of the device. The inner end of each of the toggle-links 33 is pivotally connected to the operating-head 3! by one of two similar pivot-pins 38--33 mounted in the operating-head 3i and respectively extending across the notches 36-35 and through the inner end of the complemental toggle-lint: 33, as is especially well indicated in Fig. 6.

Threaded into the rear portion of the operating-head 3'! or otherwise coupled thereto, is a rcciprocative actuating-rod 3% indicated in Figs. 4 and 7.

Rigidly mounted in the portion of the body it! lying immediately forwardly of the recess 2% therein, is an axially-arranged guard-sleeve projecting rearwardly into the axial bore iii in the operating-head 3'5 with a smooth sliding fit. The said guard-sleeve d3 serves to prevent chips or other foreign matter from having access to the recess 29 in which the operating-head 3! reciprocates.

Operation of the structure of Figs. 1 to 11 inclusive In the particular instance shown, the grippingjaw units It are adapted to be moved inwardly to substantially the extreme indicated in Fig. 4, to firmly grip any desired work-piece or the like, and further to be retired outwardly into substantially the positions shown in 7, to disengage from the work-piece and to receive another work-piece or the like, even though such workpiece may have bosses, bulges, or other projections which might interfere with their insertion between the said jaw-units, were the degree of movement of the latter not as extensive as is here provided.

When the gripping-jaw units l4 are in their gripping positions as indicated in Figs. 1, 2 and i, the toggle-links 3 stand substantially on dead-center (Fig. 4), thereby applying the maximum outward thrust upon the jaw-operating plungers 3%. ihe said plungers, in turn, have their movements multiplied by the very rigid jaw-operating levers 26 so that the grippingjaw units l not only move to a relatively-greater extent than do the plungers 33, but the said units are firmly held in their closed positions.

When the operating-head 3'! is moved forwardly relative to the body is by means of the actuating-rod 39 or its equivalent, the togglelinks 34 will, so to speak, collapse into substan tially the positions in which they are shown in Fig. 7, thereby drawing the jaw-operating plungers 35-38 inwardly. The inward movement of the jaw-operating plungers 36-35! will, in turn, cause the forward ends of the jaw-operating levers 26-43 to move outwardly, with the result that the gripping-jaw units will be moved outwardly to a greater degree than the jaw-operatin plungers have moved inwardly-all as will be fully apparent by a comparison of the showings of Figs. 4 and 7.

When a Work-piece to be operated upon is inserted between the now widely-open grippingjaw units I4, rearward draft may be applied to the actuating-rod 39, to thereby shift the operating-head 3'! rearwardly within the body [0 and along with it the inner ends of the complemental toggle-links 34-34. As the inner ends of the toggle-links 34-44 are moved rearwardly, the rate of outward movement of the jaw-operating plungers 38 will progressively diminish, while the effective force applied to the plungers 30-38 will progressively increase until the said togglelinks 34-34 have assumed substantially the deadcenter position in which they are indicated in Fig. 4 and in which they are substantially Self-k! emons Thus, by means of "the linkages employed, the gripping-jaw units I 4 or their equivalent have their most rapid movement as they are initially moved inwardly with a progressively-decreasing rate of movement until they :seat against the work, whereupon the effective gripping force applied thereto is strongest when the parts have reached substantally the positions in which they are shown in Fig. 4.

In many uses, chuck structures are required to revolve at very high speed in order to rotate a Work-piece'with respect to relatively-stationary tools, and consequently there "is a Very considerable tendency for jaw-members to move radially outwardly, clue to the eitects of centrifugal force.

By means of the construction and arrangement of parts exemplified by the chuck illustrated in the accompanying drawingstheeffects of centrifugal force as above referred to, are firmly resisted, so that despite relatively-high speeds at which the entire chuck structure may be rotated, the grip of the gripping-jaw units It or their equivalent upon the work-piece is not appreciably relaxed.

THE STRUCTURE OF FIGS. 12 TO 15 INCLUSIVE In 'the previously-described chuck structure, the toggledinks 3 were under lengthwise cornpressive strain when the gripping-jaw units were moved inwardly to clamp a work-piece orthe like. In the chuck structure now to be described, the toggle-links, equivalent to the previously-described toggle-linlrs 3 1, are under compressive strain when the jaw-carriers and such gripping rows as may be carried thereby are moved outwardly to engage interiorsurfaces within a workpiece or the like.

In the structure of Figs. 12 to "15 inclusive, there "is employed a body 42 having in its for ward face two oppositely-disposed guidewa-ys tdl3 extending in a radial direction and each receiving with a smooth sliding fit one of two similar jaw-carriers 44-44 which may form parts of any suitable gripping-jaw units 'or which may, themselves, be directly engaged with-a workpiece or the like to thus function as grippingjaws. In the instance shown, each jaw-carrier M- is formed with a ribbed channel or guideway 45 in which may be mounted a relatively-adjustable gripping-ism (not shown) of any suitable character.

Each jaw-carrier at is formed in each of its respective opposite sides with one of two corresponding guideerooves (Fig. 12) which receive with a smooth sliding fit the respective opposite edge-portions or a clearance-notch '57 formed in a retaining-plate t8 rigidly secured in any suitable manner to the front face of the body 2. The respective clearance-notches 47 for law-carriers ad it are located diametrically opposite each other respectively .in registration with the guideways KE- 33 in 'the "body 42.

Each jaw-carrier M is formed with a rearwardly-projecting lug 49 which is .freely accommodated in one of two similar recesses 5fli5il :formed in the body 42 respectively to the rear of the guideways 33- 43. The inner end of each recess 56 intersects Ia cylindrically-contoured recess 5! formed in the body 43 and extending axially therein.

Mounted in the axial recess 51 in the body 42 for reciprocation therein ,in :an :axial -:direction,

6 is a Ilngelikeioperating-head 52. Preferably and as shown, "the said operating-head .52 has threaded .there'into the :forward end of an actuating-rod .53, by means of which the said operating-head may be .reciprocated in an axial direction.

Respectively at diametrically-opposite points therein, the operatingeheacl '52 is formed with one of two similar recesses 54-414 each receiving the .cyl-indrically-contoured.inner end of one of two :similar toggle-links 55 55 adapted to pivot therein. For the purpose of retaining the inner ends of the "toggle-links 55 in their respective recesses :54, there are provided .two similar pivot-pins 5.5--'51, .011601 which extends through the inner end of each :of said toggle-links and is supported at its respective opposite ends in the wall-portions of the adjacent recess 54.

Each toggle-link i551is formed at it outer end with a cylindricallyecontoured terminal .51 of considerably more than a half-circle in extent and snugly into a cylindrically-contoured groove :58, :one of which is formed in the inner portion of each of the lugs 4.9 respectively forming integral parts of the jaw-carriers -54, as is especially 'well shown in Figs. 13 and 15.

Each groove '58 is of greater extent than a half-circle in a transverse direction so that when one of the cylindrically-contoured terminals 5'! is installed therein by .edgewise insertion, the adjacent toggle-link 5.5 will'abe coupled to the adiacent jaw-carrier id :so as to, when needed, exert an inward draft thereon, in 'a manner as will hereinafter appear. The respective cylindricallycontoured terminals fill-51 and their compleen'tal cylindrically-contoured grooves 58-58 provide the means :for connecting the respective toggle-links 55-55 to the oomplemental jaw-carriers "4 -44 or their .eqniizalent.

Operation of the structure .of 12 to 15 inclusive As previously indicated, the chuck. structure of Figs. 1:2 to 15 inclusive is primarily designed for use in gripping interior surfaces of workpieces iby moving its jaw-carriers outwardly away from each other, though available for other uses.

If the parts are considered as being .in their retired positions as shown in Fig". 15, a forward thrust applied to the actu'ating rod 53 will move the operating-ahead 52 forwardly. The described forward movement :of the operating-head 52 the toggle-links 5555, which latter will pivot about their respective pivot-pins 56-56 and upon the :curved bottoms of their respective recesses 154554. Through the intermediary of the respective terminals 5l-57 and grooves 5858, the'sai'd toggledinks will exert a powerful outward force upon the jaw-carriers 4t-44 until ultimately the parts reach substantially the positions in which. they are shown in Fig. '13.

As the inner ends of the toggle-links 55- 55 are moved forwardly as above described, the rate .o'f outward movement of the jaw-carriers M will progressively diminish, while the effective force applied to the said jaw-carriers will correspondingly progressively increase until toggle-links 55-455 have assumed substantially their dead-center positions in which they are indicated in .Fig. 13 and .in which position they are substantiallyrselfalocking.

When it is desired to retire the jaw-carriers '44 inwardly to release the grip upon the interior surfaces of a work-piece, the actuatingrod 53 may be moved rearwardly from the position in which it is indicated in Fig. 13 into the position in which it is indicated in Fig. 15, there by inwardly collapsing the said jaw-carriers 44-44 and such gripping-jaws (if any) as may be carried thereby.

The invention may be carried out in other specific way than those herein set forth without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention, and the present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.

I claim:

1. A chuck of the character described and including in combination: a body; a plurality of gripping-jaws carried by and movable with respect to the said body toward and away from each other; and operating-means concurrently moving the said gripping-'aws as described, the said operating-means including an operatinghead reciprocatively connected to the said body and movable with respect thereto in substantial parallelism with the central-longitudinal axis thereof, a plurality of reciprocative jaw-operating plungers also reciprocatively connected to the said body for movement substantially perpendicularly with respect to the direction of movement of the said operating-head, a plurality of toggle-links each having its outer end pivotally connected to one of the said jaw-operating plungers and each having its inner end pivotally connected to the said operating-head, and a plurality of jaw-operating levers pivotally connected intermediate their respective opposite ends to the said body and each having one end pivotally connected to one of the said jaw-operating plungers and each having its opposite end pivotally cormected to one of the said grippingjaws.

2. A chuck of the character described and including in combination: a body having an axial recess; a plurality of gripping-jaws carried by and movable with respect to the said body toward and away from each other; and operatingmeans concurrently moving the said grippingjaws as described, the said operating-means including an operating-head reciprocatively mounted in the recess in the said body and movable with respect thereto in substantial parallelism with the central-longitudinal axis of the said body, a plurality of operating plungers to the said body for movement substantially perpendicularly with respect to the direction of movement of the said operating-head, a plurality of toggle-links each having its outer end pivotally connected to one of the said jaw-operating plungers and each having its inner end pivotally connected to the said operating-head within the said body, and a plurality of jawoperating levers pivotally connected intermediate their respective opposite ends to the said body and each having one end pivotally connected to one of the said jaw-operating plungers and each having its opposite end pivotally connected to one of the said gripping-jaws.

3. A chuck of the character described and including in combination: a body; a plurality of gripping-jaws carried by and movable with respect to the front portion of the said body toward and away from each other; and operatingreciprocative iaw- J also reciprocatively connected means concurrently moving the said grippingjaws as described, the said operating-means including an operating-head reciprocatively connected to the rear portion of the said body and movable with respect thereto in substantial parallelism with the central-longitudinal axis thereof, a plurality of reciprocative jaw-operating plungers also reciprocatively connected to the rear portion of the said body for'movement substantially perpendicularly with respect to the direction of movement of the said operatinghead, a plurality of toggle-links each having its outer end pivotally connected to one of the said jaw-operating plungers and each having its inner end pivotally connected to the said operating-head, and a plurality of jaw-operating levers extending from front to rear in the said body and pivotally connected intermediate their respective opposite ends to the said body, each of the said levers having its front end pivotally connected to one of the said jaw-operating plungers and each having its rear end pivotally connected to one of the said gripping-jaws.

l. A chuck of the character described and including in combination: a body; a, plurality of gripping-jaws carried by and movable with respect to the front portion of the said body toward and away from each other; and operating-means concurrently moving the said gripping-jaws as described, the said operating-means including an operating-head reciprocatively connected to the rear portion of the said body and movable with respect thereto in substantial parallelism with the central-longitudinal axis thereof, a plurality of reciprocative jaw-operating plungers also reciprocatively connected to the rear portion of the said body for movement substantially perpendicularly with respect to the direction of movement of the said operating-head, a plurality of toggle-links each having its outer end pivotally connected to one of the said jaw-operating plungers and each having its inner end pivotally connected to the said operating-head, and a plurality of jaw-operating levers extending from front to rear in the said body and pivotally connected intermediate their respective opposite ends to the said body, each or" the said levers having its front end pivotally connected to one of the said jaw-operating plungers and each having its rear end pivotally connected to one of the said gripping-jaws.

5. A chuck of the character described and including in combination: a body; a plurality of gripping-jaws carried by and movabl with respect to the said body toward and away from each other; and operating-means concurrently'moving the said gripping-jaws as described, the said operating-means including a reciprocative operating-head carried by the said body and movable with respect thereto in substantial parallelism with the central-longitudinal axis thereof, the said operating-head being provided in its outer periphery with a plurality of notches, a plurality of reclprocative jaw-operating plungers carried by the said body, a plurality of toggle-links each having its outer end pivotally connected to one of the said jaw-operating plungers and having its inner end extended into on of the notches in the said operating-head and pivotally connected thereto, and a plurality of jaw-operating levers pivotally connected intermediate their respective opposite ends to the said body and each having ts rear end pivotally connected to one of the said yaw-operating plungers and each of the said aw-operating levers having its forward end pivotally connected to one of the said gripping-jaws.

6. A chuck of the character described and including in combination: a body; a plurality of gripping-jaws carried by and movable with respect to the said body toward and away from each other; and operating-means concurrently moving the said gripping-jaws as described, the said operating-means including a reciprocative operating-head carried by the said body and movable with respect thereto in substantial parallelism with the central-longitudinal axis thereof, a plurality of reciprocative jaw-operating plungers carried by the said body and each having a notch in its inner end, a plurality of togglelinks each having its outer end extended into the notch of one of the said jaw-operating plungers and pivotally connected thereto, each of the said toggle-links having its inner end pivotally connected to the said operating-head, and a plurality of jaw-operating levers pivotally connected intermediate their respective opposite ends to the said body and each having its rear end pivotally connected to one of the said jaw-operating plungers and each of the said jaw-operating levers having its forward end pivotally connected to one of the said gripping-jaws.

7. A chuck of the character described and including in combination: a body; a plurality of gripping-jaws carried by and movable with respect to the said body toward and away from each other; and operating-means concurrently moving the said gripping-jaws as described, the said operating-means including a reciprocative operating-head mounted in the said body and movable with respect thereto in substantial parallelism with the central-longitudinal axis thereof, the said operating-head being provided in its 1 outer periphery with a plurality of notches; a plurality of reciprocative jaw-operating plungers carried by the said body in locations radially outwardly with respect to the said operating-head, the said jaw-operating plungers each having a notch in its inner end and being reciprocative in the said operating-head in substantially-radial directions and in substantial parallelism with respect to the direction of movement of one of the said gripping-jaws; a plurality of toggle-links each having its outer end extended into the notch of one of the said jaw-operating plungers and pivotally connected thereto, each of the said toggle-links having its inner end extended into one of the notches in the said operating-head and pivotally connected thereto; and a plurality of jaw-operating levers extending in substantial parallelism with the direction of movement of the said operating-head and pivotally connected intermediate their respective opposite ends to the said body, each of the said levers having its rear end pivotally connected to one of the said jawoperating plungers and each having its forward end pivotally connected to one of the said gripping-jaws.

HARRY E. SLOAN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

